Neighbours were outraged when they were not notified of a change taking place in their street after they opposed it to the council.

Claire Owers and Bob Packman, both of Fitzjohn Avenue, are among a group of neighbours whoo opposed the dropping of the kerb outside a house close to them, and were told in January this year that the plans were not going ahead.

However, on August 28, signs and barriers began to appear and by the August 30, the drop down had been completed, much to the bemusement and frustration of the neighbours who opposed.

Ms Owers said: "To our utter dismay, work began on the crossover without any prior notification to the residents.

"I am furious that the concerns of residents have been completely disregarded by Barnet Council."

She and her husband, Anthony, contacted the council on several occasions to oppose the dropped kerb due to concerns over the lack of parking on the road and vehicle safety, but were told they would be contacted "in due course" before the builders began work out of the blue.

Mr Packman was equally enraged by the situation, saying Barnet Council have "ridden roughshod over the democratic process"

He added: "We have had absolutely no communication from any council department that this scheme had been subsequently approved and therefore had no opportunity to appeal this decision.

Jennifer Chapman, another neighbour along the road, said: "We are all fuming to put it mildly.

"It is a very dangerous place for a drop down, it makes parking even harder and we all failed to understand how it went ahead."

Ms Owers was eventually contacted by a representative from Barnet Council on September 14, who stated an administrative error meant the contact over the drop down was not communicated on the date set, which was still a week later than the works started.

Ms Owers added: "We have always had a real community spirit in Fitzjohn Avenue with residents parking appropriately and considerately in the few bays provided.

"However, this reduction will now leave everyone fighting for spaces, the safety of vehicles and residents compromised and people now considering their own applications for a crossover."

Cllr Dean Cohen, chairman of the environment committee at Barnet Council, said: "When introducing a dropped kerb which has an impact on an on-street parking bay, a public consultation is undertaken.

"While the objections and comments received from residents are important and were taken in to consideration, observations and surveys indicated the impact of removing the bay would not be severe and the proposal was approved.

"The council writes to the residents who have objected to advise them of the decision made prior to work taking place.

"Unfortunately that did not happen in this case. We apologise for this and are in the process of speaking to residents to clarify this matter."